Researchers conduct face-to-face interviews for the African Youth Survey 2026, gathering insights from young people across 16 African countries, including South Africa, where they express their belief in democracy and demand political change. During fieldwork, all findings are immediately loaded into an integrated digital system for real-time analysis.
South Africa's young people still believe in democracy, but they are becoming increasingly disillusioned with political leaders they believe are failing to tackle unemployment, the rising cost of living, and young people's lack of influence over decisions that shape their future.
That is one of the central findings of the African Youth Survey 2026, which shows that while young South Africans remain politically engaged, they want greater representation, younger leaders, and stronger accountability from those in power.
While optimism has returned across much of the continent, South Africa stood apart as one of the survey's most pessimistic nations.
Three-quarters of respondents said the country was moving in the wrong direction where 74% believed the economy was heading the wrong way, and only 25% said they felt optimistic or excited about the country's future.
